Voting against the repeal were Democrats Norman Stone and Jim Brochin and Republicans Nancy Jacobs, Joseph Getty and Christopher Shank.

The committee did approve an amendment that would remove a requirement that the state allocate $500,000 to the state's crime victim fund.

Raskin pointed out that the language could have prevented the issue from being petitioned to a referendum vote. The Maryland Constitution bans any appropriations bill from being petitioned to voters.

Several other amendments were defeated.

The bill now moves to the full Senate for debate starting Tuesday.

Baltimore County State Senator Bobby Zirkin was seen as the key vote.

Zirkin, who had previously supported the death penalty, decided to vote for the repeal.

Zirkin told WBAL News today that he finds himself "dreadfully in the middle of the issue." He believes the death penalty is necessary for certain killers, but he notes Maryland's death penalty has not been used for years and does not bring closure for murder victims.